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… As Residents escape death as tanker falls in Abeokuta
Tayo AFOLABI
Many people lost their lives, with scores injured on Sunday morning, in Ibadan, Oyo State capital when a tanker, conveying petroleum gas rammed into the popular Bode market just as similar accident happened in Abeokuta, Ogun state.
The gas tanker coming from Idi Arere axis in Ibadan, lost control due to brake failure, thus crushing many traders, a tricycle and a commercial motorcycle.
Some of the traders, who were at the scene when the accident occurred disclosed that it occurred around 8.30 am.
According to an eye witness, the loud impact of the gas tanker when it rammed into a shopping complex inside the market caused apprehension.
The dual carriage expressway from Beere to Idi Arere and Bode, shortly before the flyover bridge was closed to traffic to allow for rescue operation.
Though details surrounding the incident were still sketchy, the Oyo State Commander of the Federal Roads Safety Corps (FRSC), Mrs Uche Winifred Chukwura confirmed the accident to our correspondent.
However, she stated that “it is that the accident occurred this morning at Bode market, but our people are still there evacuating the debris and casualty. For now, we cannot give a specific figure of the casualty. I would get back to you later about the number of people that died in the accident.”
In a related incident, scores of residents of Totoro area in the Abeokuta metropolis on Sunday escaped death after a tanker laden with diesel fell at the roundabout spilling its content on the road.
Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE), spokesman Mr Babatunde Akinbiyi, said that the incident happened at 9.50 a.m on Sunday.
Akinbiyi said that rescue operations were ongoing by the operatives of TRACE, Federal Road Safety Corps, State Fire Service and Federal Fire Service and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
The TRACE spokesman attributed the accident, which happened when residents were heading to places of worship, to brake failure.
He urged motorists and other road users to remain calm and cooperate with traffic and safety managers at the scene of the incident.
Akinbiyi said that traffic had been re-routed for those coming from Sapon and Totoro axis going to Lafenwa and those coming from Lafenwa going to Sapon and Totoro axis to follow the same lane, as rescue operation continued.
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